Inversion after Negative Adverbials

Reference

Common mistakes

1. Never I have seen such a view. → Never have I seen such a view.
   auxiliary before subject
2. Rarely she complains. → Rarely does she complain.
   add does
3. No sooner had we arrived when it rained. → No sooner had we arrived than it rained.
   no sooner … than
4. Not only he is clever, but also kind. → Not only is he clever, but he's also kind.
   invert after not only

Inversion after Negative Adverbials — Exercises

Choose the correct form

Circle the correct answer.

1. Never _____ such a beautiful sunset. (have I seen / I have seen / I saw)
2. Rarely _____ late for school. (is she / she is / she was)
3. No sooner had we sat down _____ the phone rang. (than / when / that)
4. Hardly had I arrived _____ it started to rain. (when / than / that)
5. Not only _____ the match, but she also broke a record. (did she win / she won / she did win)
6. Under no circumstances _____ this door. (should you open / you should open / open you)
7. Seldom _____ so much rain in July. (have we had / we have had / had we have)
8. At no time _____ the police that I was involved. (did I tell / I told / I did tell)

Rewrite with inversion

Complete the second sentence so it means the same. Use the word in capitals.

1. I've never eaten such good pizza. (NEVER) →   such good pizza.
2. She rarely complains. (RARELY) →   .
3. As soon as I got home, it started snowing. (SOONER) → No   home than it started snowing.
4. He is funny and he is kind too. (ONLY) → Not   funny, but he is also kind.
5. You must not touch this button. (CIRCUMSTANCES) → Under no   touch this button.
6. I arrived and almost immediately it rained. (HARDLY) →   arrived when it rained.

Inversion after Negative Adverbials — Answer Key

Choose the correct form

1. have I seen — Never + auxiliary + subject → have I seen.
2. is she — Rarely + is she.
3. than — no sooner … than.
4. when — hardly … when.
5. did she win — Not only + did she win.
6. should you open — Under no circumstances + modal + subject: should you open.
7. have we had — Seldom + have we had.
8. did I tell — At no time + did I tell.

Rewrite with inversion

1. Never have I eaten
2. Rarely does she complain
3. sooner had I got
4. only is he
5. circumstances must you
6. Hardly had I